Matthew Cambell Barrett, 26, of Glenwood officially became a fugitive when Magistrate Ross Woodford rejected Barrett's excuse (that his car broke down) for not appearing in the court on Monday. "That highway must be littered with broken down cars, at least a dozen a week,” Mr Woodford said.

He ordered an arrest warrant be executed.

Too long, too far

NOT long ago was too long ago and less than 1km was too far for Kandanga unlicensed driver, Jennifer Mary Heaney in Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday.

Heaney, 39, was fined $450 and disqualified for one month after she pleaded guilty to driving for less than 1km on September 24, only 10 days after her licence expired.